Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Truth in Egineering? - 2015 Audi A3
  By RS Yasuoka - April 27 - 6:10 pm

  Unbelievable but the transmission had to be replaced. Car was not even driven off the dealer for a week. I had picked up the car on Sunday, driven it to work for a week and tooling around on Saturday when I notice the engine light came on followed shortly by a yellow warning message that the cars reverse gear may not be working but the car was considered drivable? Say what? I realized the car would not move past 3rd gear and started a high pitch whine in the transmission. Short story, the car was placed on a flatbed tow truck (Quattro) and take back to the dealer. Monday afternoon I was told car needed new transmission and that it had to be shipped in.

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  Highly recommended - 2006 Audi A4
  By jasonppn - April 17 - 5:56 pm

  Many people complain about expensive maintenance. If you are like me and do your own maintenance, there is very little you have to do or pay. I have an OBD II computer that I use whenever the check engine light comes on (not often). I bought it with 55,000 miles on it, it now has 87,000. Ive had to replace a coil pack (easy fix, $37 and 1 hour of my own labor), divertor valve ($150, 2 hours labor), and that is all. To change your oil, it is handy if you have the Audi tool ($100) for cartridge style oil filters (youll have a mess if you dont), but you can make your own pretty easily out of a hose and the right diameter bottle. The car drives absolutely beautifully, couldnt be happier.

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  Great Choice - Go with the 2.0 - 2015 Audi A6
  By magiann - April 17 - 11:01 am

  This was my first Audi and so far, for the most part, its been great. I opted to go with the 2.0 over the 3.0 and I dont regret that decision in the least. As the other reviews state, it gives you more than enough power. It doesnt have the same "sound" of the 3.0, but trust me, the zip is there. Plus, the gas mileage is much better. The interior has a few quirks, but the materials are top notch. One thing to note - the breaks squeak in cold weather. Audi is aware of the problem and has no fix for it. By cold weather, I mean below 20 degrees. For a luxury car, I find this rather annoying.

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  Audis "Baby S" is a sweet little gem! - 2015 Audi S3
  By Peter Baek - April 8 - 10:56 pm

  I recently traded in my 14 Audi A6 Prestige (which was a great car) for a 15 S3 Prestige. There is certainly no doubt the S3 is a heck of a lot more fun to drive! Power delivery is excellent...although there is a small bit of turbo lag (esp. in regular "D" mode). I think a 7-sp DSG (like in the S4) wouldve been better. Grip is outstanding and the car handles like its on rails. Braking is outstanding as well. I didnt get the 19" wheel and performance package because I live in Chicago where the road quality can be hell. Some of the cons for me are the lack of storage spaces (for sunglasses, etc), no memory seat settings, no built-in garage door opener, and no heated steering wheel.

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  Looks good but constant minor issues - 2009 Audi A3
  By seattle1984 - March 31 - 5:49 pm

  My 2009 Audi A3 driver side door does not work with the fob. The other doors work fine. The shop says the door lock actuator needs to be replaced total cost $750! The low oil light keeps on popping up. I have not gotten an estimate and will wait until my 105k maintenance. The car looks and drives well. Also, the MPG is pretty good even on Premium gas. However my old and ancient Camry seems to have less constant minor issues.

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  Love the TDI, Skip the MMI package - 2014 Audi Q5
  By p_auyeung - March 20 - 1:44 am

  Fun car to drive. The diesel engine is amazing, especially on long journeys. The acceleration is fantastic, very good for road trips as well as battling the everyday commute. The MMI is total crap. Voice recognition doesnt recognize much, and the navigation takes far too long to start up. Ive given up using it. The stereo system is a bit on the quiet side, even with the B&O package.

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  Fun to drive, electronics are a hassle - 2015 Audi Q5
  By Linda L Ross - March 14 - 4:44 pm

  This turbo SUV is a blast to drive. The leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter feel expensive. Does great in the snow with factory tires. Backup camera peeps when in Reverse if there is something in front of the car (so not helpful). Too many clicks to do simple things like change the radio station or climate control. Overly complicated electronics (I came from a Lexus RX). Put this engine in a Lexus and I would go back in a heartbeat.

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  Wonderful car but no Homelink - 2015 Audi Q3
  By dwightd - February 28 - 10:55 am

  We bought this car and love it. Great traction in the snow and quite happy with it. However their is no Homelink so if you want to sync it with your garage door it does not exist. How many high end cars dont have this option? We hear the company might retro fit this into the car. We will see and if they do it for cars already purchased.

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  Love my red a4 3.0 quattro - 2002 Audi A4
  By Andy Wessels - February 25 - 11:39 am

  Great car, super fun to drive. Plenty of torque at normal rpm range and lots of grip around the corners! Front seats are plush and comfy although rear seating is tight. Car is equipped with power everything mirrors, sunfoof, windows, seats, etc... This cars grip, power, and planted feel blew my mind when I first test drove it. Before i had a 2001 passat 2.8, and this thing just runs circles around that. Great car that i would recommend.

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  Awesome First Car - 2005 Audi A6
  By jvcbone919 - February 21 - 12:54 pm

  My father and I went a purchases this car at an auction. The car has been very great to me, we bought it in August 2014 with 130k miles. Ive been in a car accident with it in which I rearended a much larger vehicle at 45 MPH. Luckily I was super safe and I just had to replace the front bumper. The car has about 145k miles on it currently and it just seems to be falling apart. Plastic pieces in the exterior, the window regulator not working correctly and some oil leaking. It has been a very nice car and I am looking for a newer mode with less miles because I feel so safe in it. Also last note the quattro all wheel drive is amazing, you never feel like you dont have traction